A new filtering feature on YouTube has come under fire for hiding LGBTIQ+ content and videos that feature queer artists.

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The new “Restricted Mode” allows viewers to filter “potentially objectionable content”, but many users and creators have noticed it is blocking videos made by LGBTIQ+ vloggers.

ALL my @youtube videos except a best of Vine & a voting one are blocked with the new LGBT restrictions on my channel for under 18. This is FUCKED. @fullscreen please help!

A post shared by WILLAM (@willam) on Mar 20, 2017 at 1:53pm PDT

The range of queer videos disappearing when the filter is enabled ranges from music videos by Tegan and Sara to Tyler Oakley discussing LGBTIQ+ role models, documentaries, make-up tutorials and more.

sooo why aren’t these videos restricted ??? #YoutubeIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/rYJ3U9sEZ6

— juliana (@julianaarayy) March 20, 2017

Users have noted that videos that are discriminatory towards LGBTIQ+ people were not hidden by the filter, sending the hashtag #YouTubeIsOverParty trending over the weekend.

YouTube has issued an official apology outlining that the filter was intended to remove “mature content”. The statement did not identify why LGBTIQ+ content may be deemed mature or inappropriate.

A message to our community … pic.twitter.com/oHNiiI7CVs

— YouTube Creators (@YTCreators) March 20, 2017

YouTube’s parent company Google told Buzzfeed that “the system will never be 100 percent perfect… we must and will do a better job.”

OIP Staff